#^ 


.§^ 


l^ 


%. 


o 

Eh 
O 

M 


CO 
CL 


03 


C 


*^ 


, 

, 

VD 

r^ 

C 

00 

0) 

o 

rH  ^  +J     1 

1 

+J 

0) 

tH 

CN 

CI 

in 

o^  +J  XJ 

CO  r- 

CO 

o 

tH 

tH 

73 

«-3 

"^ 

•. 

0) 

c 

^  X! 

>^  A 

S 

o<  0) 

o 

<D 

>  *^ 

in 

U) 

•H 

vo 

O  -H  m 

•t)  "^ 

0) 

o 

'O 

•« 

r-\ 

in 

>N  w 

CO 

CM 

O 

CA 

»^ 

CN 

>^ 

<D 

0) 

<y» 

fH 

^ 

c 

W  TJ 

3 

X 

- 

T3MH 

m  s  < 

> 


3ihe00 


DELIVERED    AT    THE 

iFttiieral  of  Softn  HJoftns^ton, 


REV.   JOSEPH  MCELROY,   D.D, 


APRIL    20,     1851. 


:Kr  c  to  *  Y  0  r  ft  : 

PRINTED    BY    EDWARD    0.    JENKINSj 
114    Nassau    Stebkt. 

M    DCCC    LI. 


JOHN    JOHNSTON, 

J<)nrn  ^t  Balmaghle,  in  the  county  of 
Galloway,  Scotland,  June  22,  1781.  He 
came  to  this  city  in  the  of  1804, 

and  entered  the  counting-house  of  Messrs. 
Lenox  &  Maitland.  In  March,  1813,  he 
commenced  business  with  James  Boorman, 
under  the  name  of  Boorman  &  Johnston. 
He  retired  from  the  firm  in  February, 
1844. 

^itij  in  the  city  of  New- York, 
April  16,  1851,  aged  69  years,  9  months, 
26  days. 

The  following  Address,  by  his  Pastor, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Elroy,  was  delivered  on 
the  occasion  of  his  funeral ;  and  at  the 
request  of  many  of  his  friends,  has  been 
kindly  furnished  for  publication. 


^EC.JUN  18bi 
THEOLOGIGA 


iMtHS. 


Death,  my  friends,  is  an  event  which 
awaits  us  all.  Whatever  be  our  rank, 
whatever  our  character,  whatever  our 
social  position,  and  whatever  difference 
may  exist  as  to  the  duration  of  our  re- 
spective courses,  the  sentence,  "  Dust 
thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou  re- 
turn," shall  one  day  be  executed  upon 
every  individual  of  our  race.  In  the  or- 
derings  of  a  wise  and  righteous  Provi- 
dence this  event,  the  common  lot  of  all, 
has   overtaken  the    honored    head  of  this 


6  ifuncral   ^iJtircss. 

beloved  family ;  and  we  are  now  as- 
sembled to  pay  to  his  remains  the  last 
offices  of  respect  and  kindness.  And  al- 
though I  am  aware,  that  the  practice  of 
delivering  addresses  on  occasions  like  the 
present  is  liable  to  abuse,  I  am  also  aware, 
that  I  should  disappoint  the  expectations 
of  yon  all,  were  I  not  to  advert  for  a 
moment  to  the  character  and  worth  of 
our  departed  friend.  But  what  shall  I 
say  ?  How  shall  I  delineate  the  charac- 
ter of  one  distinguished  by  so  many  ex- 
cellencies, whose  memory  is  fragrantly 
embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  a  large  circle 
of  relatives  and  connections,  whose  eu- 
logy is  proclaimed  by  all  classes  of  our 
community,  and  who,  doubtless  ere  now, 


has  joined  ''the  general  assembly  and 
Church  of  the  First-born,  which  are  writ- 
ten in  heaven  ?" 

In  attempting  this  delineation  you  will 
allow  me  to  observe,  that  our  friend  was 
a  man  of  sound  and  well-balanced  mind. 
If  less  remarkable  than  some  for  those 
brilliant  and  striking  qualities  which 
dazzle  and  oft-times  mislead,  he  was 
more  remarkable  than  most  for  those 
better  qualities  which  inspire  confidence 
and  elicit  respect  ;  and  all  his  mental 
powers  were  expanded  and  improved  by  ex- 
tensive reading  and  habits  of  reflection. 

He  was  a  man  amiable  ani  cheer- 
ful in  temper,  a  happy  spirit,  who  al- 
ways  met    you    with   a    smile.     And    the 


8  ffuntxKl    ^ntixtss. 

happiness  he  felt  himself  he  was  anxious 
to  impart  to  others.  No  man,  even  of 
the  humblest  walk  in  life,  could  approach 
him  without  feeling  the  kindness  of  his 
disposition. 

He  was  a  man  of  unbending  and  in- 
corruptible integrity — governed  by  moral 
principle  in  all  the  transactions  of  life. 
Extensively  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
for  nearly  half  a  century,  his  probity  and 
honor  have  been  unimpeached  and  unim- 
peachable ;  and  he  has  gone  from  among 
us,  with  the  veneration  of  many,  and  the 
unfeigned  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 

He  was  naturally  a  generous  man, 
and  for  the  gratification  of  this  disposi- 
tion   Providence    gave  him   ample    means. 


iFuneral    ^HUress.  9 

Forming  a  business  connection  of  a  sin- 
gularly propitious  character,  he  was  emi- 
nently successful  ;  and  as  riches  in- 
creased, he  did  not  set  his  heart  upon 
them,  but  devoted  them  to  their  true 
uses — employed  them  as  became  a  man  of 
intelligent  benevolence  and  warm-hearted 
piety.  His  benefactions  were  large,  his 
charities  were  open-hearted  and  open- 
handed,  embracing  in  their  sphere  the 
temporal  necessities  of  his  fellow  crea- 
tures, the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation and  learning,  and  every  object  of 
Christian  benevolence.  He  was  always 
with  the  foremost  in  every  good  work  ; 
and  never  have  I  known  a  more  •'  cheerful 
giver."     Nor   were    his    liberal    contribu- 


10  JFuneral    ^trUress. 

tions  to  such  objects  as  those  mentioned 
wholly  the  result  of  natural  generosity. 
They  proceeded  from  principle.  He  felt 
himself  to  be  a  steward,  and  that  the 
hour  of  reckoning  was  approaching.  Most 
forcibly  was  I  struck  with  an  observation 
which  he  made  to  me  during  the  past 
winter,  when  referring  to  an  investment 
which  he  had  been  urged  to  make,  and 
which  had  been  represented  as  likely  to 
prove  exceedingly  profitable.  "If,"  said 
he,  "  I  had  been  sure  that  that  represen- 
tation would  be  realized,  I  should  not 
have  made  it.  I  have  enough — as  much 
as  I  wish  to  be  answerable  for." 

In   early   youth    our    friend    was    called 
into  the   fellowship  of    Divine    grace,    and 


ifuneral    ^DOrcss.  ll 

liis  whole  Christifcin  life  has  been  one  of 
beautiful  consistency.  His  religion  did 
not  appear  with  that  unnatural  promi- 
nence in  one  part  of  his  character,  which, 
where  this  is  the  case,  is  usually  com- 
pensated by  a  proportional  defect  in  the 
other  parts  ;  but  was  even  and  uniform, 
like  a  well-adjusted  dress  on  a  comely 
person,  covering  the  body  equally,  and 
"  without  spot  or  wrinkle."  You  did  not 
observe  in  him  any  confident  pretensions, 
or  any  ostentatious  display  of  superior 
sanctity — qualities  always  to  be  suspected  ; 
but  you  distinctly  perceived  his  love  to 
the  Saviour,  his  attachment  to  the  hum- 
bling doctrines  of  the  cross,  his  reverence 
for    Divine    ordinances,    and    his    watchful 


12  iFutieral    ^nnxtnn. 

circumspection  over  his  heart  and  life. 
And  I  will  add  in  this  connection,  that 
he  was  a  pillar  in  the  Church  of  God  : 
a  man  to  strengthen  the  hands  and  en- 
courage the  hearts  of  ministers  of  the 
G-ospel  in  all  their  toils  and  perplexities  ; 
a  man  whose  removal  is  a  sore  breach  in 
the  church  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
and  the  withdrawal  of  whose  influence 
will  be  felt  by  many  a  good  and  holy 
enterprise. 

It  pleased  God  to  try  him  long  and  se- 
verely by  bodily  pain  and  infirmity,  but 
he  suffered  patiently,  and  quietly  sub- 
mitted himself  to  the  will  of  his  heaven- 
ly Father.  There  was  with  him  no  mur- 
muring, no  repining  ;  on  the  contrary,  he 


iFuncral    ^UUrcss.  13 

cherished,  amidst  all  he  was  called  to 
endure,  a  lively  and  a  grateful  sense  of  the 
mercies  still  vouchsafed  and  continued  to 
him,  and  often  and  fervently  with  his  lips 
did  he  offer  up  praise  from  a  thankful 
heart.  Many,  many  times  have  I  heard 
him  observe,  "  My  afflictions  are  light 
compared  with  my  mercies,  and  gratitude 
ought  to  be  my  prevailing  feeling." 

Were  it  allowable  to  intrude  into  the 
family  circle — now  sacred  by  the  fresh- 
ness and  intensity  of  its  griefs  —  I  might 
show  you  that  his  demeanor  as  a  son,  a  bro- 
ther, a  husband,  a  father,  was  in  perfect 
keeping  with  the  rest  of  his  character ;  and 
I  might  picture  to  your  minds  the  warmth 
and  tenderness  of  his  domestic  attachments, 


14  iFuneral    ^Utrress. 

and  how  deeply  he   was  enshrined  in  the 
affections  of  those  who  knew  him  best. 

Now,  as  might  be  expected  in  the  case 
of  such  a  man,  his  end  was  peace  —  not 
transport,  not  rapture,  not  ecstacy  —  this 
would  not  have  accorded  with  the  struc- 
ture of  his  mind,  his  constitutional  tem- 
perament ;  but  peace,  a  calm  serenity  of 
soul,  a  holy  composure,  resulting  from 
the  firm  belief  of  his  interest  in  the  Di- 
vine favour.  As  death  approached  there 
was  no  slavish  fear,  no  shrinking ;  he 
looked  upon  that  event  as  a  deliverance, 
and  so  expressed  himself.  And  although 
during  the  ^closing  scene  his  inability  to 
articulate  prevented  our  learning  from  his 
own    lips    his    feelings,    and    hopes,    and 


ffuntxtil   ^Utircss.  15 

prospects  in  that  solemn  hour,  his  placid 
brow  and  sweet  smile,  on  having  repeated 
to  him  the  precious  promises  of  the  Gos- 
pel, clearly  indicated  that  the  Lord  was 
with  him,  and  his  rod  and  staff  comfort- 
ing him.  0,  what  a  testimony  have  we 
here  to  the  reality  and  efficacy  of  our 
holy  religion !  And  how  delightful  and 
how  sublime  the  spectacle  of  a  man, 
who,  having  resisted  the  temptations  of 
years  and  scores  of  years,  and  stood  faithful 
to  his  G-od  in  the  midst  of  a  world  that  has 
thrown  off  its  allegiance  to  him,  thus  calm- 
ly and  peacefully  falls  asleep  in  Jesus  ! 

Every  period  of  life  has  its  peculiar 
temptations.  There  are  temptations  pecu- 
liar  to   youth,  to   manhood,   to   old   age  ; 


16  iFuneral    ^Irtircss. 

and  it  has  often  happened  that  they  who 
have  resisted  the  temptations  of  youth 
have  fallen  before  those  of  manhood,  and 
they  who  have  withstood  the  temptations 
of  manhood  have  fallen  before  those  of 
old  age.  Many,  had  they  not  lived  so 
long,  might  have  died  with  the  reputa- 
tion of  being  Christians  ;  and  others,  whom 
we  must  still  hope  to  be  Christians,  have 
certainly  added  nothing  to  the  evidences 
of  their  piety  by  a  length  of  days.  But 
how  pleasant  and  how  refreshing  to  con- 
template a  man,  who,  having  surmounted 
the  difficulties  which  youth  throws  in  the 
way  of  religion,  conquers  those  of  man- 
hood, and  having  conquered  those  of  man- 
hood, subdues  those  of  old  age,  and  then 


ifuneral    ^tUtvtss.  11 

being  ripe  for  glory,  and  having  served 
G-od  in  his  generation,  comes  to  his  "  grave 
in  a  full  asre  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh 
in  his  season."  So  it  has  been  with  our 
departed  friend  —  a  riper,  fuller  shock,  I 
verily  believe,  has  seldom  been  gathered. 
To  the  afflicted  family  of  the  deceased 
I  would  say,  you  cannot  err  in  appropriat- 
ing to  yourselves  the  advice  and  direction 
of  the  Apostle  :  "  But  I  would  not  have 
you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren,  concerning 
them  which  are  asleep,  that  ye  sorrow  not 
even  as  others  which  have  no  hope.  For 
if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose 
again,  even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in 
Jesus  will  G-od  bring  with  him."  Weep, 
indeed,  you  may  under  this  bereavement. 


18  jFuncral   ^iJifress. 

Nature  pleads  for  it,  and  Christianity  does 
not  forbid  it.  But  indulge  not  in  ex- 
cessive grief  —  a  grief  that  unfits  for  duty 
and  repels  consolation.  Nay,  while  you 
deeply  feel  the  bitterness  of  your  loss,  be 
thankful  that  the  blessing  now  withdrawn 
has  been  so  long  continued  to  you.  And 
only  walk  with  Grod  as  did  your  departed 
husband  and  father,  and  soon  you  will 
meet  him  again — meet  him  under  circum- 
stances much  more  auspicious  than  ever 
surrounded  you  here — and  where  God  him- 
self will  put  the  seal  of  eternity  on  the  bond 
of  your  re-union. 

To  you,  my  respected  friends,  who,  in  the 
exercise  of  a  Christian  sympathy,  are  here 
to-day,  let  me  say, — Be  concerned  to  apply 


iFuneral  S^tmress.  19 

this  providence  to  yourselves,  and  to  ex- 
tract from  it  the  instruction  which  it  is 
calculated  to  yield.  Bear  in  mind  that  to 
every  one  of  you  death  is  inevitably  certain. 
Bear  in  mind  that  you  know  not  the  day 
nor  the  hour  of  its  approach.  ''Be  ye 
therefore  also  ready."  And  particularly 
would  I  thus  address  those  of  you,  who 
have  long  been  the  companions  of  our  friend, 
and  who  are,  as  he  was,  approaching  your 
threescore  years  and  ten.  Your  day  is  far 
spent,  your  sua  is  but  little  above  the  hori- 
zon, and  the  darkness  of  death  will  soon 
close  upon  you.  Grive,  then,  0  give  your 
few  remaining  days  to  your  souls,  to  your 
Saviour,  and  to  your  God. 

My  private    griefs   and  sorrows  on  this 


20 


ffVLxievul    ^imress. 


mournful  occasion,  I  have  no  right  to  ob- 
trude upon  you.  But  "  the  heart  knoweth 
his  own  bitterness."  /  have  lost  a  friend. 
One  who  has  been  to  me  a  wise  counsel- 
lor, who  was  pleased  to  honor  me  with 
his  confidence,  and  give  me  many  proofs 
of  his  affection,  and  on  whom  I  could  at 
all  times  rely  to  any  fair  and  reasonable 
extent.  To  part  with  such  a  friend,  in 
a  world  like  this,  is  no  small  matter.  But 
I  dwell  not  on  this  topic.  May  G-od  bless 
you  all,  and  by  his  grace  prepare  you  all 
for  your  closing  hour,  and  for  a  glorious 
immortality. 


